ARTWORKS inspired by landscape and special places take centre stage in two new exhibitions.

Daniel Cooper's major new solo show at the Severn Studio, Brantwood, is entitled Climatic Variations, and is tipped to be the high point of his career to date.

Cooper, 29, uses mixed media and charcoal burnt on the Brantwood Estate. His expressive style has been compared to Turner and conveys the ever-changing moods of Cumbria's hills and skies, to give the viewer a feeling of almost being there.

"My art is deeply personal, and akin to the experience of music, opera or to that of a play," said Cooper. "I hope that my audience not just sees but feels the climate in my pictures."

Cooper's last show at Brantwood, Terra Ephemera - Observations was a near sell-out. Climatic Variations is open daily until August 31.

Meanwhile, artists' collective Green Door is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a major exhibition at Kendal Museum's basement gallery, opening this Saturday.

A Sense of Place features paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs, textiles, wood, drawings and glass, inspired by locations meaningful to the artists.

For Sue David, the sea was the dominant element, while Delcia McNeil submitted work created from a collage made from debris from the fire that gutted the old Green Door studios in Kendal five years ago.

Cally Lawson set out to capture the tranquillity created by dappled light in late spring woodland, while printmaker Kath Lockhart was inspired by sunshine and storm clouds in a dramatic Yorkshire Dales sky.

Green Door administrator Janice Benson said: “This exhibition is a fantastic way for us to lead into our 20th anniversary in October. It showcases work from around one-third of our 100 members and will be part of C-Art in September, when our work will hopefully be seen by an even wider audience.”

A Sense of Place runs until September 26.